🤔Deep Unearthing Conversations: 🌌Life, The Universe, and Everything ☕
About the event
When you look up at the stars, what is the first thought or instinct that goes through your mind? Do you ever ponder: Why are we here? Did a cosmic creator set our world in motion or did we and the universe come about randomly without any purpose? What are the odds of not just you existing right now but the entire universe itself?
Time is precious. Here we cherish non-boring chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. In that spirit today’s fully hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for naturally inquisitive and curious independent thinkers drawn to the mysteries of life, the universe and the unknown to share ideas on exciting thought provoking topics no one else has the courage to talk about.
An adrenaline caffeine infused fun afternoon of thought-provoking causal chats exploring interconnected topics spanning philosophy (epistemology aspects), neuroscience, cosmology and theology over a mug of sweet coffee or Chardonnay - if that's what you need to let your thoughts run free!
Whether you've studied philosophy, cosmology, theology or simply feel a deep sense of wonder about existence, you are welcome. You don't need an in-depth background - just an open mind, some great books under your belt and a willingness to explore life's big questions and potentially share some stories
Chaired by a former Reuters journalist, amateur Astronomer and published empirical researcher (I recognise statistical causality and significance doesn't necessarily make something true) - exploring topics in pursuant of the "truth" since a teenager. There'll be no strict structure - a relaxed friendly space to openly chat, exchange ideas without judgement, but I'll preside to promote inclusivity and zone in on specifics to avoid people digressing onto unrelated tangents to ensure particpants derive maximum utlity and engagement from attending
==== Sample of conversational threads === might include: #1: Many say that because God is an invisible force so no proof can be provided for his or her existence. Yes but we cannot see quarks, black holes, dark matter or even exoplanets but we know they are real in reality via inference through quantum mathematics, particle accelerators, and gravitational lensing and waves. None of that can be said about a creator which is based just on blind faith. So, is anyone who declares there is proof of God delusional, or simply mistaken about what constitutes empirical evidence? #2: Despite the fossil records, genetic tree of life genome mapping, the detection of cosmic microwave background radiation from over 13.8 billion years ago and radiometric isotope dating with half-lives exceeding the biblical timeline, many religions refuse to answer questions on dinosaurs, evolution, space and the age of the universe. When the first physical evidence of exoplanets was confirmed, the Vatican - realising that other life in the galaxy was highly likely - issued press releases proclaiming if we found aliens that would not contradict the existence of god. Was this because the very foundation of their belief system was threatened? #3: So imagine a wonderful, all almighty God created the entire universe with the power to decide our fate upon death. Then why doesn't this God not help kids in pediatric oncology ward? Many of us have gone out of our way to selflessly help complete strangers without expecting anything in return. Yet we are sold a deity that promises you a conditional heaven tomorrow in exchange for suffering today, but only if you believe. What kind of caring snake oil salesman god promotes transactional marketing? Yes, many great philosophers including Hume and Kant have tackled the contradiction - surely the only explanation is that the universe operates on indifferent physical and biological laws rather than divine governance? #4: As Alice Roberts work - not only as a renowned British scientist but in her…
